It is likely to make landfall between Masula and Odarevu
The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify and turn into a severe cyclone which is likely to cross south coastal Andhra Pradesh. With chances of the cyclone making a landfall between Machilipatnam and Odarevu in Prakasam districts, the district administration launched the cyclone preparatory measures. District Collector Kona Sasidhar told mediapersons here on Thursday that there was a high probability of heavy rain accompanied by gales lashing the district during the intervening night of December 16 and 17. “We have issued a cyclone alert and issued warnings to fishermen not to venture into the sea,” said Mr. Sasidhar. The revenue, police, irrigation, transport and electricity department personnel have been put on high alert and all leave have been cancelled.
A control room has been opened in the Collectorate with phone number 1800 425 4009. The Collector said that 35 villages in four coastal mandals had been identified as prone to cyclone. Essential items such as water and food were being moved to the cyclone relief centres. Special officers have been deputed to the relief centres.
The national and state disaster response management teams have also been placed on high alert.
CM programme may be put off
The cyclone could affect the programmes of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in the city on December 17. Mr. Naidu is scheduled to take part in semi-Christmas celebrations to be held on December 17 and also lay the foundation stone for Mother and Child block at GGH.
Standing crops
Authorities in Krishna district are on the alert in the wake of the deep depression that is likely to turn into a cyclone by Saturday evening. Krishna Joint Collector Vijaya Krishnan on Thursday directed revenue and other officials to prepare for the cyclone mitigation initiatives.Agriculture and Revenue officials have been told to obtain data on the extent of land and paddy crop that are yet to be harvested on the Machilipatnam coast. Fishermen have been asked to not to venture into the sea for fishing.
The Fisheries Department authorities are in touch with the professional swimmers to be deployed in the rescue operations. Ms. Vijaya Krishna reviewed the availability of commodities, fuel, and machinery to clear the roads during the evacuation operations. Bandar Divisional Revenue Officer P. Udaya Bhaskar and police officials were present.